Kasparov vs. Gelfand
Linares 1993
Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bc4 e6 7 Bb3 b5
8 0-0 Be7 9 Qf3 Qc7 10 Qg3 0-0 11 h6 Ne8
After 11...Ne8
A topical variation. At
first sight White appears to be having things all his own way, with five pieces
already in play and his rooks about to arrive on the center files.
However, Black’s position is fairly solid and given time he will catch up with
White in development, when Black’s extra central pawn may be an important
factor. 12 Rad1 Bd7 13 Nf3!?
After 13 Nf3!?
Other moves are possible,
but Kasparov’s continuation is regarded as the main line today. 13…b4 A
somewhat risky move driving the knight towards the kingside, where there is
already a dangerous accumulation of white pieces. 13…a5 and 13…Nc6 are sounder
alternatives – indeed, Gelfand used the latter move to draw with Kasparov in a
later game at the Moscow Olympiad 1994. 14 Ne2 a5
After 14...a5
This is the point of
Black’s previous move – he just wants to trap the b3-bishop. Although this plan
is certainly playable, Black is teetering on a Knife-edge, never a comfortable
position to be in, especially against Kasparov. 15 Nf4! Kh8 15…a4??
16 Bxg7 Nxg7 17 Nh5 Bf6 18 Nxf6+ Kh8 19 Qh4 mates. 16 Bg5 Nf6 16…Bxg5?
17 Nxg5 a4 is worse after 18 Qh4 and now both 18…h6 19 Bxe6 fxe6 20 Ngxe6 Bxe6
21 Nxe6 Qf7 22 Nxf8 Qxf8 23 Qd8 and 18…Nf6 19 Bxe6 Bxe6 20 Nfxe6 fxe6 21 Nxe6
Qf7 22 Nxf8 Qxf8 23 Qf4 Ra6 24 Rd4 are distinctly better for White. 16…f6?? is
totally wrong and loses to 17 Bxe6 fxg5 18 Ng6+ hxg6 19 Qh3#.17 Qh4!
After 17 Qh4!
17…Bb5? This
decisively weakens e6. Black had at least one and possibly two playable
alternatives. 17…a4 is critical and, although it is risky, I do not see a win
for White after 18 Nh5 axb3 (not 18…Ra5? 19 e5 dxe5 20 Nxf6 gxf6 21 Bxf6+ Bxf6
22 Qxf6+ Kg8 23 Ng5 axb3 24 Rd3 and wins) 19 Nxf6 Bxf6 (19…h6? 20 Bxh6 Bxf6 21
Bg5+ Kg8 22 Bxf6 gxf6 23 Ng5! fxg5 24 Qxg5+ Kh8 25 Rd3 forces mate) 20 Bxf6 (threatening
21 Ng5) 20…gxf6 (not 20…Ra5? 21 Ng5 Rxg5 22 Qxg5 Rg8 23 Rd3 and White has a
winning attack) 21 Qxf6+ Kg8 22 Ng5 Bb5! (Black must cover d3; 22…Bc8 23 Rd3
Rd8 24 Nxh7 wins) 23 Qh6 Re8! (23…f6 24 Qxf8+! Kxf8 25 Nxe6+) 24 Qxh7+ Kf8. Now
White can force a draw by 25 e5 d5 26 Rd4 Nc6 27 Rf4 Nxe5 28 Nxf7 Nxf7 29 Qh6+
Ke7 30 Rxf7+ Kxf7 31 Qh7+ Kf6 32 Qxc7 Bxf1 33 Qf4+, but I cannot see anything
better. A more practical move is 17…Nc6!, when it is hard to prove any
advantage for White; for example, 18 c3 bxc3 19 bxc3 h6 or 18 Nh5 Nxh5 19
Bxe7 Nxe7 20 Qxe7 Rac8, intending …a4 or …Bb5, with an unclear position in both
cases. 18 Nd4!
After 18 Nd4!
Now a decisive breakthrough
is unavoidable. 18…Be8 A desperate attempt to hold Black’s
position together. 18…Bxf1 loses to 19 Ndxe6 fxe6 20 Bxe6! (threatening mate in
one) 20…h6 (20…g6 21 Nxg6+ Kg7 22 Qh6#) 21 Bxh6 gxh6 22 Qxh6+ Nh7 23
Ng6#. 19 Ndxe6! fxe6 20 Nxe6 Qa7 Or 20…Qb6 21 Nxf8 Bxf8 22
Bxf6 gxf6 23 Qxf6+ Bg7 24 Qe6 mating. 21 e5!
After 21 e5!
It’s tough keeping Kasparov out in positions like this! 21…dxe5
22 Nxf8 Bxf8 23 Bxf6 gxf6 24 Rd8 The point of the preliminary 21
e5. 24…Nd7 White also wins after 24…We7 25 Qg4! Bg6 (or 25…Bg7
26 Qe6 Qxe6 27 Bxe6) 26 Qc4 Qg7 27 Qd5. 25 Qg4 1-0 As
25…Bg7 26 Qe6 mates.
Source from:
GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101
Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 119 - 120)
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